Sofia Vergara

Move over Salma Hayek, there’s a new busty Latina bombshell in town. Well, Sofia Vergara isn’t exactly new -- she’s been in show business as either a model, host or actress since she was 17 -- but only now is she gaining mainstream recognition in the United States. With her scene-stealing role as Gloria, the spicy matriarch on ABC’s runaway hit Modern Family, Vergara is one of the most deft comedic actresses on television, and she has an Emmy nomination to prove it.

In addition to being named among AskMen's Most Desirable Woman 2012, she was just named the United States' highest-paid television actress by Forbes.

Appeal

Sofia Vergara is a sex symbol of the highest order. Blessed with the proportions of a blow up doll on steroids, the busty Colombian is one of the sexiest women in show business. With full lips, cascading hair and a body that won’t quit, Vergara has charmed everyone from Jamie Foxx to Tom Cruise. Even after giving birth to her son (she did so when she was 20), Vergara has managed to maintain better curves then a Roy Halladay complete game. With her career finally taking off, Vergara is proving that she’s as charming as she is stunning. On a recent appearance on the Tonight Show, she had Gerard Butler drooling on national television and outwitted Jay Leno himself. On second thought, our 4-year-old nephew can outwit Jay Leno.

Success

After being discovered as a teenager by a photographer on a Columbian beach, Sofia Vergara has parlayed her jaw-dropping beauty into a string of film and television roles that call for, well, jaw-dropping beauty. But bit parts as “the exotic latina” in films like Big Trouble, Soul Plane, Lords of Dogtown, and National Lampoon’s Pledge This! do not a successful career make.

Just when it seemed like Vergara would be destined for a career as eye candy, she was cast as Ed O’Neil’s much younger wife in ABC’s monster hit sitcom Modern Family. As the quick-witted, headstrong Gloria, Vergara proved that she’s a lot more than just cleavage and a smile, and has been rewarded for her scene-stealing performance with a nomination for best supporting actress at the Emmys.

Since then, Sofia has lent her talents to a number of films from The Smurfs (2011), The Three Stooges (2012), Escape From Planet Earth (2012), and Machete Kills (2013), the sequel to Robert Rodriguez's highly entertaining 2010 action film Machete.

Sofia Vergara Biography

Sofia Margarita Vergara was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and as a child her future status as a global sex symbol was no more than a distant fairytale. Raised as a devout Catholic, Vergara was married when she was only 18, and had her first and only son just one year later. All this while Vergara was studying dentistry, and with just one year left in her schooling, was discovered by a photographer on a Columbian beach. Soon, modeling opportunities presented themselves, with Vergara appearing in commercials to help support her family, despite being in constant conflict with her religious beliefs.

sofia vergara makes a name for herself

Sofia Vergara’s marriage didn’t last long, and when it ended, the fledgling model packed up and moved to Bogoto, Columbia, to pursue an increasing amount of opportunities in show business. Her big break came as cohost of the travel show Fuera de Serie (Out of the Ordinary), which gave her ample exposure in the U.S. after it aired on Univision.

Sofia Vergara’s exotic sex appeal made her a highly sought after bikini model as well, and in no time, Hollywood was banging at her door. In 2002, Vergara made her big-screen debut opposite Tim Allen, Renee Russo and Zooey Deschanel in the comedy Big Trouble. Though Vergara was hailed for her natural comedic abilities, the role was limited at best, and led to Vergara being typecast as the token buxom Latin woman in a variety of films and television shows including Chasing Papi, The 24th Day, Soul Plane, Lords of Dogtown, Baywatch, My Wife and Kids, and Entourage.

sofia vergara tries her hand at drama

Sofia Vergara already proved that she was good for a laugh, but had yet to try her hand at more dramatic fare. She got her chance in John Singleton’s drama Four Brothers, where she costarred as Tyrese Gibson’s girlfriend. Though Vergara more than held her own, industry insiders recognized that she was best at bringing the funny, and continued casting her in comedies including National Lampoon’s Pledge This!, Tyler Perry Meets The Browns and Madea Goes To Jail. Television executives also tried to find her a recurring role in various sitcoms, but both efforts -- Hot Properties and The Knights of Prosperity -- were short lived.

sofia vergara lands the role of a lifetime in modern family

In an industry and culture that fetishizes youth, the unlikelihood of Sofia Vergara finding success in her late 30s can’t be stressed enough. But thanks to the creators of ABC’s hit sitcom Modern Family, Vergara is finally getting the attention -- for something other than her breasts -- that she deserves. As Gloria Delgado, Vergara plays the unofficial matriarch of the funniest family on television. Critics and audiences alike have embraced the show, and there’s no denying that Vergara -- with her quick wit and impeccable comedic timing -- has been its breakout star. In fact, her spirited performance has been recognized with nominations at the Emmys and the Golden Globes.

Sofia Vergara Is Engaged

There's nothing worse than finding out your imaginary girlfriend is taken. On July 10, 2012, news broke that Vergara and Nick Loeb, her boyfriend, were engaged. Props to Loeb.

Sofia Vergara Is Named Highest-Paid Actress

Forbes recently launched its list of the highest paid actresses in the United States, and Vergara came out on top, reportedly earning $19 million in the last 12 months and beating out Kim Kardashian.